Brian Wilson Plays ‘Love and Mercy’ and ‘God Only Knows’ from Home for ‘Colbert,’ Reminding Everyone ‘We’re All In This Together’

“Hi, this is Brian Wilson, everyone, I just want you guys to know that we’re all in this together.”

That message of unity is how the Beach Boys legend introduces his new performance of “Love and Mercy,” which Wilson performed for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBDfF3tBTGr/

The performance clip aired on the show Thursday night, and is now available to the masses:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MviBdm30cRQ

As a special bonus, Wilson also performed the classic Pet Sounds song “God Only Knows” for the program:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKCGZ-duCjI

This past week has seen some incredibly tough images on the news and across social media, protesters clashing with authorities across the United States in the wake of the May 25 police killing of George Floyd.

Many musicians and industry figures weighed in on social media and elsewhere urging support of the Black Lives Matter movement, and Brian Wilson sent his wishes of Love and Mercy into the world accordingly:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CA2u1a0Bt8s/

Over the course of his career, Brian Wilson has been a source of hope and inspiration to many, his songs transcending genre and style to become integral parts of culture in general. For more on that, read Steve Rosen’s recent Behind the Curtain entry:

As I was leaving, I turned around and caught his eye. Wordlessly he said, “They tell you things about me. From time to time I am afraid of the questions. I run from the reality of them. But I liked you and I think you liked me. Was I who you thought I would be?”

Oh, yes. You were everything. My mom, my dad, my dog, my first guitar. You were hope. You were magic.

Behind the Curtain: Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys and the Magic of Music-Connected Memories